Back To The 80s-Chapter 437 - 447: Suppression_1

Upon seeing an opportunity, Zhao Honghe said with a smile, "Rest assured, collaborating with us will not put you at a loss. Our boss runs a very successful business. Food is merely a small branch, and he is making great strides in the garment industry as well."

Yang Tianhua looked a bit puzzled, "If your boss is so successful, why isn’t he establishing his business in big cities like Capital City or Shanghai? Why Northwest? This really baffles me."

With a chuckle, Zhao Honghe replied, "Our Boss Ou visited this provincial city before New Year’s, and she felt very at home here. That’s why she wanted to start her business here."

Yang Tianhua didn’t ask any more questions, nor did Zhao Honghe bring up the contract, as he had other ulterior motives in mind.

After leaving Yang Tianhua’s home, Zhao Honghe went straight to the post office in a hurry to make a phone call to Ou Ruoshui.

"Boss Ou, I’ve gathered enough data about the market here, it’s quite suitable for selling our products. I’ve also found a local wholesaler willing to distribute our products. Can we arrange for delivery now?"

Ou Ruoshui spoke in her usual composed manner, "Have you signed the contract yet? Once we’ve signed the contract and you mail it back, then we can ship the products. Otherwise, it’ll be a nuisance when we ask for payment later."

Zhao Honghe rolled his eyes, ’Isn’t she relying on her man for money? Who needs such unnecessary procedures anyway?’ But he managed to sound respectful on the phone "Boss Ou, the other party actually wants to see the goods before signing the contract. If we also have to post the contract, it could delay the business for about a month."

Despite her gentle tone, Ou Ruoshui was inflexible, "No, our company will not ship the products without a contract. You cannot bear the consequences if something goes wrong."

Zhao Honghe nodded in agreement, hung up the phone, and immediately dialed Ou Tiannan’s number.

Ou Tiannan answered, his eyebrows furrowing in dissatisfaction, "Didn’t I tell you? The transactions concerning the food factory should go through Ou. Why are you calling me? Follow her instructions."

Zhao Honghe clutched the notebook containing phone numbers, trying to curry favor, "I don’t agree with Boss Ou’s way of doing business. She adheres too rigidly to the rules, I believe we should be more flexible."

Ou Tiannan laughed coldly, "Zhao Honghe, stop trying to play smarty-pants with me. Just tell me what your brilliant idea is."

Zhao Honghe immediately adopted a submissive tone, "Think about it, we don’t have any foundation here in the Northwest. Wouldn’t it be better if we collaborated with someone influential to further our business? And doesn’t Boss Ou want to set up a factory in the provincial city? I got the impression from this merchant that he has some contacts up there. Could we perhaps make use of that?"

It’s undeniable that Zhao Honghe knew how to flatter. After giving it some thought, Ou Tiannan said hesitantly, "I’ll think about it. Call me tomorrow."

After hanging up, Ou Tiannan rubbed his face. He was reluctant to return to the provincial city. Laying low for so long, his identity could be exposed if he returned. He wasn’t ready for it.

The woman he had protected for eleven years, whose life he had saved, giving her a new identity and a fresh start, yet, he still didn’t have her heart - perhaps she doesn’t even have one.

She had forgotten everything, but was still determined to regain her memory.

He could wait for her, but he didn’t know for how long. Ou Tiannan never wanted to keep something he couldn’t completely have; instead, he would prefer to destroy it. As he pondered, a glint of sinister intent passed across Ou Tiannan’s face. This would be the last time he would help Ou Ruoshui fulfill her wishes. She better not disappoint him.

While Gu Xiaobei was contemplating his fallback options, Ma De’s business on the other side was also at a standstill. Constant loss-making sales were killing everyone’s enthusiasm.

Ji Xiangdong in Shule River was facing a similar deadlock. He had just arrived at his department when he was summoned back to the division to attend a meeting.

It was a standard meeting about preparations for the upcoming spring planting, and how to effectively prepare disaster prevention work beforehand.

In Shule River, people can only grow one crop in a year. If calamities like hailstorms or frost occur, the entire crop yield would be destroyed. Even if they replanted, it would impact the year’s harvest.

Preparations for the disaster could potentially reduce damage even in the face of natural disasters.

After the meeting, the division leader spoke to Ji Xiangdong in a somewhat dissatisfied tone, "Ji, couldn’t you stand the harsh winters of Shule River?"

Ji Xiangdong tensed up. How did the news of his intended transfer leak out? He was sure Su Moqing wouldn’t have said a word. He feigned a casual smile and countered, "Sir, could there be some misunderstanding?"

The division leader patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "I hope it’s just a misunderstanding. Work hard; don’t disappoint the country that trained you." He then left.

Ji Xiangdong watched the division leader’s retreating figure, realizing that his transfer wouldn’t be easy. His gaze landed on Bai Pingtian smoking under a poplar tree in the distance.

Sensing Ji Xiangdong’s gaze, Bai Pingtian turned around, smirked at Ji Xiangdong, and then turned back.

...

Pondering over his budget, Gu Xiaobei realized it was far from enough to cover the costs of buying land, constructing the factory, and acquiring the machinery. After days of brainstorming, he decided to set up a small workshop. He would find a packaging factory to print the packaging. Young women from the warehouse courtyard would then do the packing and sealing.

Sealing the bags was another issue. Gu Xiaobei was beginning to worry again. The existing packaging factories didn’t produce small transparent bags that could be easily opened, but neither were there any small heat sealers to be bought. He would have to find a way around it.

Anxious, Gu Xiaobei stayed at home to keep the children company, as their antics often manage to distract her from her worries.

Since her father sneakily gave her candy, Xiaopang’s bond with her father had strengthened. Every night, if Lu Zhanguo failed to return home on time, she would insist on having her mother or grandfather accompany her to the door to wait for him. She wouldn’t let them close the front door in case her father wouldn’t be able to get in.

When Bai Xiaolan wasn’t busy, she would be obligated to rest on the couch for her pregnancy. When she was resting, Gu Xiaobei made sure that the two little troublemakers wouldn’t jump on the couch.

As the weather warmed, the snow in the courtyard began to melt. Water dripped from the eaves, creating a string of tiny pits on the ground.

Xiaopang loved stepping in these little puddles. The moment adults weren’t looking, she would run over and stomp in them a few times. Her small cotton shoes, made of red flannel, would quickly get wet.

Gu Xiaobei, resigned, carried Xiaopang to change her wet shoes, pretending to be angry, she said, "Xiaopang, if you keep getting your shoes wet, you won’t have any shoes left to change into, and then you’ll have to run around barefoot."

Xiaopang didn’t care for her warning. Not only did Xiaopang continue to step in puddles, but she also wanted to drag her brother along with her.

Wen Xiuqing shook his head and laughingly said, "Quickly, put their wet shoes near the stove to dry. I’ll make them some plastic shoe covers."

Wen Xiu Qing cut a piece of plastic cloth, folded it in half, then lit a candle and found a small saw blade. He pressed one side of the folded plastic cloth onto the saw blade and lightly moved it back and forth over the flame. The same was done to the other side - a small pocket was then formed. He gave it to Gu Xiaobei to put on the children’s feet.

Gu Xiaobei accepted the handmade shoes and examined the place where the saw blade had singed, the teeth were clear and the two sides were tightly joined. Suddenly, she had an idea.